Smog Chokes Beijing on New Year's Day

Air pollution in Beijing was “off the charts” on New Year’s Day, exceeding the maximum 500 mark on the air quality index, according to Chinese news reports citing the US embassy.

Local authorities pegged the smog levels at 482. Levels over 300 are considered hazardous to health.

An orange alert for air pollution had been effective over the weekend. On Monday, environmental authorities said the alert would be extended for another three days with some heavy-polluting vehicles banned from roads and certain factories required to cut production. Credit: Instagram/avelchuk_andrey via Storyful